Jacob Bickler

Jacob Bickler
Born	Jacob Bickler (1849-11-20)November 20, 1849 Bad Sobernheim,Kingdom of Prussia
Died	April 30, 1902(1902-04-30)(aged 52) Austin, Texas
Resting place	Oakwood Cemetery
Education	Bachelor of Arts
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin
Occupation(s)	Scholar Educator
Spouse	Martha Lungkwitz
Children	Jenny Marie (1875–1949) Camilla Therese (1876-1949) Harry Pitt (1879–1958) Max Hermann (1881–1971) Katherine Magdalene (1883–1963) Viola Babetta (1886–1892) Jacob Franz (1888–1891) Ralph Adolph (1891–1974) George Washington (1893–1983)

Jacob Bickler(November 29, 1849 – April 30, 1902) was a scholar, educator, and president of the Texas State Teacher's Association. He was founder of the boys' Texas German and English Academy and the co-educational Bickler Academy, both located inAustin, Texas.In 1969,Recorded Historic Texas Landmark6438 was placed at the site of the Goodman Building, noting the location on the second floor of Jacob Bickler's German and English academy.

Early life

Jacob Bickler was born on November 20, 1849, inBad Sobernheim,Kingdom of Prussia,to Peter Bickler and his wife Katherine Schöffling Bickler. He received his early education in the public schools of Bad Sobernheim. Peter Bickler married a second time and moved toMilwaukee,Wisconsin,where the teenaged Jacob joined the new couple in 1863. From 1863 to 1867, young Bickler attended Milwaukee high schools and Milwaukee Markham Academy College Preparatory School.In 1870, Bickler earned hisBachelor of Artsinpedagogicsfrom theUniversity of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.He became fluent in six languages. From 1871 to 1872, Bicker was aprincipalin the educational system ofLa Crosse, Wisconsin.

Texas

On December 24, 1872, Jacob Bickler moved to Austin, Texas, and joined his uncle Philip Bickler in teaching at the Bickler German English Academy, where artistCarl G. von Iwonskihad also once taught. Land CommissionerJacob Kuechlerappointed Bickler assistant draftsman and calculator in theTexas General Land Officeon April 1, 1873. On January 24, 1874, the date of Bickler's wedding, he resigned from the Texas General Land Office to resume his teaching career.

In 1876, Bickler founded the Texas German and English Academy in Austin, a boys' school that remained in operation until 1902.In 1880, theWahrenberger Housein Austin was leased to Bickler. He operated the academy at this house. According to the Texas Historical Commission, the school was located here until 1886.Conflicting information, though, states that the academy was located in the Texas Military Institute Castle in Austin from 1884 to 1887. Bickler conceivably started the academy in the Wahrenberger House and kept his headquarters there, while moving the institute to the larger location as enrollment grew.In 1887, Bickler was elected president of the Texas State Teachers Association. He served as superintendent ofGalvestonpublic schools 1887–1892. In 1892, he founded the co-educational Bickler Academy in Austin, which was located in theGoodman Buildinguntil 1897. In 1969,Recorded Historic Texas Landmark6438 was placed at the site of the Goodman Building, noting the location on the second floor of Jacob Bickler's German and English academy.In summer months, Bickler taught classes at bothFredericksburgandMason.

Bickler was a member of the summer faculty at theUniversity of Texas.He was a leading proponent for establishment of the 1891 College of Education at the university.

Personal life and death

On January 24, 1874, Bickler married Martha Lungkwitz, daughter of artistHermann Lungkwitz.The couple had nine children, eight of whom survived infancy.

Jacob Bickler died in Austin on April 30, 1902, and is buried inOakwood Cemeteryin Austin, Texas.

Memberships

• Ancient Order of United Workmen
• National Education Association
• President (1886–1887), Texas State Teacher's Association

Memorials

• 1902 Jacob Bickler Medallion, artistElisabet Ney

External links

• Jacob BickleratFind a Grave